Cation-exchange separation of uranium from thorium in nitric acid medium</p> </p>

Summary Sorption behavior of Th and U on cation-exchange resins was investigated from nitric acid medium by both batch and column methods. The cation-exchange studies involved the sorption of UO₂²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ and their cationic complexes onto Dowex 50Wx8 and Dowex 50Wx4 resins (50-100 mesh). The batch data yielded a separation factor (K_d,Th/K_d,U) value of >100 for the cation-exchanger, Dowex 50Wx4 at 1-2M HNO₃. Separation of uranium from thorium was also carried out by column method in nitric acid medium using cation-exchangers, Dowex 50Wx4 as well as Dowex 50Wx8. While uranium elution was possible at 1M HNO₃, Th could be eluted only at higher concentration of nitric acid (>6M). The stripped solution emanating from a mixer settler employing di-2-ethyl hexyl isobutyramide as extractant and feed solution similar to THOREX process comprising 350 mg/l U and 380 mg/l Th in 0.75M HNO₃ was loaded on the column and the decontamination factor value for U in the product was >1000.</p> </p>     

Temperature dependence of anisotropy decay and solvation dynamics of coumarin 153 in gamma-cyclodextrin aggregates

Effect of temperature on the fluorescence anisotropy decay and the ultraslow component of solvation dynamics of coumarin 153 (C153) in a gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) nanocavity are studied using a picosecond set up. The steady-state anisotropy (0.13 +/- 0.01) and residual anisotropy (0.14 +/- 0.01) in fluorescence anisotropy decay in an aqueous solution containing 7 microM C153 and 40 mM gamma-CD are found to be quite large. This indicates formation of large linear nanotube aggregates of gamma-CD linked by C153. It is estimated that >53 gamma-CD units are present in each aggregate. In these aggregates with rise in temperature, the average solvation time ((obs)) decreases markedly from 680 ps at 278 K to 160 ps at 318 K. The dynamic Stokes shift is found to decrease from 800 cm(-1) at 278 K to 250 cm(-1) at 318 K. The fraction of dynamic Stokes shift (f(d)) detected in a picosecond set up is calculated using the Fee-Maroncelli procedure. The corrected solvation time ((corr) = f(d)<(tau(s)>(obs)) displays an Arrhenius type temperature dependence. From the temperature variation, the activation energy and entropy of the solvation process are determined to be 12.5 kcal M(-1) and 28 cal M(-1) K(-1), respectively. The ultraslow component and its temperature dependence are ascribed to a dynamic exchange between bound and free water molecules.     

Extraction of zirconium(IV) from HCl solutions by mixtures of Aliquat-336 and Alamine-336 with TBP

Synergism has been observed in the extraction of zirconium(IV) by mixtures of Aliquat 336 or Alamine 336 with a neutral donor TBP from aq. HCl solutions. Although the extractant dependency for Zr(IV) is found to be nearly second power with respect to TBP alone, monosolvate is found to be formed for extraction by its mixture with Aliquat 336 or Almine 336. Quantitative extraction is observed with mixtures at a lower acidity than that with individual extractants. The species formed is tentatively assigned to be Q₂ZrCl₆. TBP, where for Aliquat 336 and for Alamine 336.     

Comparison between ESR spectra and activities of bismuth tungstate catalysts

Electron spin resonance absorptions have been studied in bismuth tungstate catalysts with Bi/W ratios of 2/3, 1/1, 2/1 and 6/1. The first three systems exhibit a mean g value of 2.07±0.04 while the last one does not show any ESR signal. All the systems are diamagnetic. The signals at g=2.03–2.11 are attributed to oxygen ion-radicals chemisorbed (O ₂ ^– ) on W⁶⁺. An attempt has been made to correlate these whith the catalytic activities of the bismuth tungstates in the oxidation of propylene and 1-butene.

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Bi/W=2/3, 1/1, 2/1 6/1. g=2,07±0,04, . . g=2,03 2,11 - (O₂ ^–), W⁺⁶. 1-.

     

Quenching of fluorescence of 1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate (HPTS) by Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, I-, and cetylpyridinium (CP+) ions in water/AOT/heptane microemulsion

The quenching of the fluorescence of HPTS (1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate) by Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), I(-), and CP(+) (cetylpyridinium cation) has been studied in the w/o microemulsion medium formed with water, AOT [sodium salt of bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinic acid], and heptane as components at two [H(2)O]/[AOT] ratios (omega), 6 and 20. The quenching process has been found to be dynamic in nature. The lifetimes of HPTS in the microemulsion medium in the absence and in the presence of quencher have been determined. The analysis of the results has been performed in terms of the Stern-Volmer equation and the quenching sphere of action model. The Poisson distribution equation has been also used in the analysis of the probability of quencher distribution in the microemulsion compartment. The quenching of HPTS has been found to be much lower in microemulsion than in bulk water.     

Mechanistic studies on oxidation of hydrazine by a mu-oxo diiron(III,III) complex in aqueous acidic media-proton coupled electron transfer

[Fe2(mu-O)(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ (1), one of the simplest mu-oxo diiron(III) complexes, quantitatively oxidises hydrazine to dinitrogen and itself is reduced to two moles of ferroin, [Fe(phen)3]2+ in presence of excess phenanthroline. The weak dibasic acid, 1 (pKa1= 3.71 +/- 0.05 and pKa2= 5.28 +/- 0.10 at 25.0 degrees C, I= 1.0 mol dm(-3)(NaNO3)) and its conjugate bases, [Fe2(mu-O)(phen)4(H2O)(OH)]3+ (2) and [Fe2(mu-O)(phen)4(OH)2]2+ (3) are involved in the redox process with the reactivity order 1 > 2 > 3 whereas N2H4 and not N2H5+ was found to be reactive in the pH interval studied 3.45-5.60. Cyclic voltammetric studies indicate poor oxidizing capacity of the title substitution-labile diiron complex, yet it oxidizes N2H4 with a moderate rate--a proton coupled electron transfer (1e, 1H+) drags the energetically unfavourable reaction to completion. The rate retardation in D2O media is substantially higher at higher pH due to the increasing basicity of the oxo-ligand in the order 3 > 2 > 1. Marcus calculations result an unacceptably high one-electron self-exchange rate for the iron center indicating an inner-sphere nature of the electron-transfer.     

Studies on some radical transfer reactions by entrapping the radicals as polymer end groups. II. Reactions of ȮH radicals with amino acids

The reaction of ?H radicals with a number of aliphatic amino acids has been studied by entrapping the resultant radicals as end groups of poly(methyl methacrylate) that have been detected and estimated by the sensitive dye partition technique. The rate constants of the reaction (in mol^?1 L S^?1) of 7 amino acids at 25°C and at pH 1.00 have been determined as 8.33 × 10⁸ for glycine, 2.56 × 10⁹ for β-alanine, 2.01 × 10⁹ for β-alanine, 3.99 × 10⁹ for 4-amino butyric acid, 7.56 × 10⁹ for (1+) valine, 1.42 × 10¹⁰ for (1?) leucine, and 5.98 × 10¹⁰ for 6-amino caproic acid. Glycine, α-alanine, β-alanine, and 4-amino butyric acid produced radicals that underwent deamination and incorporated only carboxyl-bearing end groups in the polymer. The other amino acids, leucine, valine, and 6-amino caproic acid, produced at least two types of radicals, radicals that underwent deamination and those that remained intact, and incorporated in the polymer both carboxyl- and amine-bearing end groups but in different amounts. The latter type of radicals were about 29% from 6-amino caproic acid, 23% from leucine, and 18% from valine. The change of pH from 0.80 to 2.72 did not produce any significant change in the end group profile of the polymer obtained, indicating no appreciable change in the rate of the reaction of ?H radicals with the simplest amino acid glycine in the pH range studied.     

Synthesis, characterisation and redox behaviour of isocyanide incorporated, chalcogen stabilised mixed-metal clusters

Room temperature reaction of a benzene solution of [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₇(μ₃-E)(μ₃-E^′)] (EE^′=Se₂ (1), STe (2), SeTe (3)) with PrⁱNC or Bu^tNC resulted in the formation of iron bonded isocyanide clusters [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(RNC)(CO)₆ (μ₃-E)(μ₃-E^′)], [E=E^′=Se, R=Prⁱ (5) or Bu^t (9); E=S, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (6a, 6b) or R=Bu^t (10a, 10b); E=Se, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (7a, 7b) or R=Bu^t (11a, 11b)] and molybdenum bonded isocyanide clusters [Cp₂(RNC)Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₃-E)(μ₃-E^′)], [E=E^′=Se, R=Prⁱ(13) or Bu^t (17); E=S, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (14) or R=Bu^t, (18); E=Se, E^′=Te, R=Prⁱ (15) or R=Bu^t (19)]. Two isomers (a and b) were detected by ¹H NMR spectroscopy for the mixed-chalcogen clusters 6, 7, 10 and 11, where the isocyanide group is bonded to an iron atom. Thermolytic reaction conditions were necessary for the reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₇(μ₃-Te)₂] (4) with Prⁱ NC or Bu^t NC to give [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(RNC)(CO)₆(μ₃-Te)₂] (R=Prⁱ (8) or R=Bu^t, (12)) and [Cp₂(RNC)Mo₂Fe₂(CO)₆(μ₃-Te)₂] (R=Prⁱ (8)). Compounds 5-19 have been characterised by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The Se- and Te-bridged compounds have been further characterised by ⁷⁷Se and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy. The structures of compounds 12 and 14 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Redox properties of the mixed-metal clusters, 2, 6, 8, 12 and 14 have been studied by cyclic voltammetry in the potential range ±2.5 V at 298 K, using a platinum working electrode.     

Oxygen atom transfer from nitrogenous ReVO reagents to diphosphines and subsequent transformations. Rhenium(III) products and reaction models

The concerned diphosphines are Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 (1), abbreviated PnP, and the ReVO reagents are ReOCl3L (2) and ReOCl3L' (3), where L and L' are the azopyridine and pyridine-imine ligands p-ClC6H4N=NC5H4N and p-MeC6H4N=CHC5H4N, respectively. One atom transfer from 2 to 1 has afforded Re(OPnP)Cl3L (4a, n = 1; 4b, n = 2; 4c, n = 3). Of these 4b and 4c are stable, but 4a undergoes spontaneous isomerization to Re(PlPO)Cl3L (5) in solution. Two-atom transfer studied with both 2 and 3 has afforded binuclear LCl3Re(OPnPO)ReCl3L (8a, n = 2; 8b, n = 3) and L'Cl3Re(OPnPO)ReCl3L' (9a, n = 2; 9b, n = 3) for n = 2, 3 and mononuclear Re(OP1PO)Cl3L (11) and Re(OP1PO)Cl3L' (12) for n = 1. The mixed system L'Cl3Re(OP2PO)ReCl3L (10) has been prepared from 3 and 4b. The complex Re(PPh3)Cl3L (7a) is furnished by the reaction of Re(OPPh3)Cl3L (6a) or 4b or 11 with PPh3. The species have been characterized with the help of spectral, electrochemical, and X-ray structural data. All the complexes have mer geometry except 5 and 7a, which have fac geometry. The latter is best suited for concurrent Re-N and Re-P back-bonding. Variable-temperature rate data of the reaction 4a-->5 are consistent with an intramolecular strongly associative transition state (delta S++, -22.6 eu) in which the dangling phosphine function lies close to the metal. Two-atom transfer to P1P is believed to proceed via a transient binuclear intermediate which undergoes cleavage at one end due to steric crowding, affording 11 and 12. Crystal data for the complexes are as follows: 5.1.5 C6H6, empirical formula C45H39Cl4N3OP2Re, crystal system triclinic, space group P1, a = 10.034(2) A, b = 10.737(2) A, c = 20.357(4) A, alpha = 89.38(3) degrees, beta = 87.79(3) degrees, gamma = 80.22(3) degrees, V = 2159.7(7) A3, Z = 2; 7a.CH2Cl2, empirical formula C30H25Cl6N3PRe, crystal system monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 11.695(6) A, b = 17.745(7) A, c = 15.459(9) A, beta = 100.94(5) degrees, V = 3150(3) A3, Z = 4; 9a, empirical formula C52H48Cl6N4O2P2Re2, crystal system monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 19.769(12) A, b = 12.864(6) A, c = 22.20(2) A, beta = 101.76(6) degrees, V = 5530(6) A3, Z = 4; 11, empirical formula C36H30Cl4N3O2P2Re, crystal system monoclinic, space group I2/a, a = 16.866(6) A, b = 12.583(6) A, c = 34.78(2) A, beta = 99.22(4) degrees, V = 7285(7) A3, Z = 8.     

XPS and UPS study on the chemisorptive bond of formic acid,pyridine and water over metal-phthalocyanines

X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron (UPS) spectroscopic techniques have been employed to study the chemisorption of various molecules over metal-phthalocyanines (MePc). It was revealed that pyridine is adsorbed on the Fe atom in FePc which is accompanied by a change in the spin state without transfer of net electron charge, while HCOOH is heterolytically dissociated, the formate ion staying on the central metal atom and the proton on the bridge N atom of the porphyrin ring. H₂O on MgPc behaved like HCOOH, with a proton being adsorbed at a bridge N atom. On the basis of these results, the catalytic decomposition of HCOOH and adsorption of pyridine on MePc are discussed.